The Prayer of Quiet

Draw Inward Like a Tortoise

Teresa of Ávila · 1515–1582

Teresa pictured the soul gently drawing in its scattered faculties — like a tortoise or sea-urchin withdrawing into itself. Not by forcing the mind to stop, but by quieting the will and letting God give the deeper rest as gift.

How long?

Sound

Screen-off mode — let the screen rest. The sound keeps playing and a soft tone calls you back at the end.

St Teresa of Ávila, Interior Castle, Fourth Mansions ch. 3; Way of Perfection ch. 28 (trans. E. Allison Peers).